Dear Professor...

Tips on best language when asking for help

• First, have you accessed any on-campus support services such as the Academic Resource Center? or CAMHS?

• Ask for an extension as early as possible -- the moment you've thought, "this isn't going to happen as I'd planned" send out that email or head on over to their office hours. In fact, try to ask during open office hours if you can

• Describe the issue and problem you're facing

• Then suggest a solution to the problem. Teachers love this, you're not being helpless or whiny. Rather, you're being matter of fact in what's going on (because, life) and showing you've already thought about how to fix it. You just need the professor's permission to do so. So, suggest a time frame that you can meet

• Show how you meet the extension policy -- provide as much detail as you can on what you will do and when it will be done and turned in. You're demonstrating accountability and independent thinking

• Show what you’ve already done, if appropriate

• Make the email professional and respectful: use their title per the syllabus or previous emails;

• Only ask for an extension once

• Consider asking for extensions on all your classes at once

• Tell the truth!